FR3042045B1 - CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUNCTIONALITY OF A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle control system (10) includes a scan frame transmit module (12), a data receive module (14) and a processor (11) configured to control a vehicle functionality based on the received data . The data receiving module (14) is adapted to transmit a wake up instruction to the data receiving processor (11) from an identifier (20). A method of controlling such functionality is also disclosed.

Description

CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING UNVEHICLE FUNCTIONALITY

Technical field to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to the control of at least one feature of a vehicle in the presence of an identifier.

It relates more particularly to a control system and a method of controlling a functionality of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use an identifier, typically worn by a user of a vehicle, to detect the approach of the user and then automatically control a vehicle functionality (such as unlocking the door of the vehicle).

For this purpose, for example, at the level of the vehicle, there is provided a module for transmitting polling frames within an electromagnetic signal.

When the identifier falls within the scope of this signal, it transmits data for a data receiving module equipping the vehicle.

In order to regularly test the possible presence of an identifier, the transmit module of the scanning frames and the data receiving module must therefore be periodically awakened, generally by a processor of the automatic control system of the relevant functionality.

Such a design thus requires periodic powering of three integrated circuits, which implies a nonnegligible power consumption.

Object of the invention

In this context, the present invention proposes a vehicle control system comprising a descrutation frame transmission module (intended for an identifier), a data receiving module (in virtue of this identifier) and a processor designed to control a vehicle functionality. according to the received data, characterized in that the data receiving module is adapted to transmit an awakened instruction to the processor upon receipt of data from an identifier.

Thus, the processor is active only when the data processing received from an identifier is required, which reduces the power consumption of the system. Other optional features that can be envisaged (and therefore non-limiting) are as follows: the transmission module is designed to automatically switch from a sleep mode (at low consumption) to an active mode (at nominal consumption); the transmission module is designed to transmit an instruction awakened to the data reception module; - The data receiving module is designed to automatically switch from a sleep mode (reduced power) to an active mode (nominal power); the data receiving module is designed to transmit a wake-up instruction to the transmission module; the data receiving module is a wireless communications module; the data are data representative of an estimated distance between the system and the identifier; the processor is designed to control the functionality only if the estimated distance is less than a distance threshold stored by the processor (and if, in addition, the processor authenticates the identifier, for example by checking authentication data of the identifier received by the processor; module receiving data). The invention also proposes a method for controlling a functionality of a vehicle comprising the following steps: - sending polling frames for an identifier; - Receiving data from the identifier, transmitting an alarm instruction to a processor; - Control, by the processor, a vehicle functionality according to the received data.

Such a method may furthermore include the following steps: measurement, by the identifier, of the power of an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the scanning frames; estimating a distance between the vehicle and the identifier as a function of the measured power.

The functionality is, for example, then controlled only if the estimated resistance is less than a distance threshold (and if furthermore, as indicated above, the processor authenticates the identifier).

Detailed description of an example of realization

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be achieved.

In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 represents the elements of a control system and an identifier useful for understanding the invention; FIG. 2 is a logic diagram showing a method implemented by the control system of FIG. 1 in the absence of an identifier in the vicinity; and FIG. 3 is a logic diagram showing a method implemented by the control system and the identifier of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows the elements of a control system 10 and an identifier 20 useful for understanding the invention.

Such a control system 10 equips a vehicle (for example a motor vehicle) so as to control the implementation of certain vehicle functionalities (such as unlocking the vehicle doors, deploying the exterior mirrors of the vehicle and / or powering on the vehicle. some vehicle lights) when the identifier 20 (generally worn by a user of the vehicle) is detected at a distance of the vehicle below a predetermined threshold, as explained hereinafter with reference in particular to Figure 3.

Such functionalities (triggered automatically when the identifier 20 is detected at a distance less than a predetermined threshold) are sometimes called welcome features (or "welcome" according to the English terminology).

The control system 10 comprises a processor 11, a low-frequency transmission module 12 and a wireless communication module 14.

The processor 11 is for example a microcontroller which comprises a microprocessor and at least one memory storing computer program instructions for the implementation by the microcontroller of the processes described below when these instructions are executed by the microprocessor. The memory can also store data representative of values or parameters used during these methods, for example an estimated distance between the system 10 and the identifier 20 (received from the identifier 20 as explained below) and a predetermined distance threshold.

The processor 11 is designed to switch from a sleep mode (low power consumption) to an active mode (nominal power consumption) upon receipt of a wake up instruction, for example from the wireless communication module 14 as described above. below with reference to FIG.

The processor 11 is for example part of an electronic unit for controlling the vehicle. The processor 11 can thus control the implementation of at least one of the aforementioned functionalities of the vehicle, for example by sending a corresponding instruction to an actuator (not shown) of the vehicle.

The low-frequency transmission module 12 comprises an excitation circuit 17 and an antenna 13, for example made in the form of a twisted ferrite. The excitation circuit 17 can operate either in a sleep mode (low consumption) or in an active mode (at nominal power).

When operating in the active mode, the excitation circuit 17 can command the passage of a current in the antenna 13 so as to emit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal (typically of frequency below 150 kHz) forming polling frames ( or "polling" according to the English name sometimes used) for the identifier 20, as explained below.

The wireless communication module 14 comprises a communication circuit 16 and an antenna 15, for example made in the form of a conductive track and designed to transmit and receive high-frequency electromagnetic signals (typically of frequency greater than 1 Mhz, or even 500 MHz ), here in the 2.4 GHz band.

The wireless communication module 14 can thus establish a wireless link with other electronic devices, here a connection type "BluetoothLow Energÿ" (or "BLE").

The communication circuit 16 can also operate either in a sleep mode (at reduced consumption) or in an active mode (at national consumption). In its active mode, the communication circuit 16 remains waiting for data transmitted by the identifier 20.

However, it can be expected that, when in its sleep mode, the communication circuit 16 wakes up periodically (for a short time) to ensure that the identifier 20 is not transmitting data, corresponding for example to a user's support on a button (not shown) of the identifier 20. (It is therefore anticipated that the transmission of such data by the identifier 20 is performed for a period longer than the cumulated time of this waking and the wakeup time.) Such periodic wakeup is internally managed by the communication circuit 16 (independently wakeup arrangements by the low-frequency transmission module 12, as described below in steps E4 and E24).

The excitation circuit 17 is (directly) connected to the communication circuit 16 in order to communicate in particular a wake up instruction, as explained below. Such a wake-up instruction is for example performed (as an interrupt request or IRQ) by a given level of voltage (for example a high level) or a change in voltage level (front of tension) on an electrical line connecting the circuit. excitation 17 and the communication circuit 16.

Similarly, the communication circuit 16 is (directly) connected to the processor 11 in order to communicate a particular wake up instruction, as also explained below. Here also, such a wake up instruction is for example performed (as a request for interruption or IRQ) by a given voltage level (for example a high level) or a change of voltage level (voltage front) on an electrical line connecting the communication circuit 16 and the processor 11.

The communication circuit 16 and the processor 11 can also be connected by a serial link (for example of the SPI, I2C or UART type), for examplefor transmitting to the processor 11 the data received by the communication circuit 16 and for optionally configuring the communication circuit. communication16 under the control of the processor 11.

The excitation circuit 17 and the processor 11 may furthermore possibly be connected directly to one another, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, for example by means of a serial link allowing for example a possible configuration, by the processor 11, of the circuit of FIG. excitation 17 and / or the transmission, by the processor 11, of data to the excitation circuit 17 for transmission to the identifier 20. The identifier 20 comprises a control unit 21, a measurement circuit 22 (which forms a reception circuit low-frequency and can thus receive data, such as a code, transmitted by the low-frequency transmission module 12) and a wireless communication module 24. The control unit 21 is for example made by means of a microprocessor and a memory. The memory notably stores program instructions which, when executed by the microprocessor, enable the control unit 21 to implement the methods described below. The memory also stores values or parameters used during these processes, for example information indicative of the power measured by the measurement circuit 22 and the distance between the vehicle (specifically the system 10 of the vehicle) and the identifier 20 such that estimated on the basis of this information.

As a variant, the control unit 21 could be made in the form of a specific application integrated circuit.

The wireless communication module 24 is designed to establish a wireless connection (here of the "Bluetooth Low Energÿ" or "BLE" type) with other electronic devices, in particular with the processor 11 of the remote control system 10 via the communication module without thread 14 mentioned above.

Thanks to the wireless link established between the wireless communication module 14 of the control system 10 and the wireless communication module 24 of the identifier 20, data can be exchanged between the processor 11 of the vehicle and the control unit 21. the identifier 20, as explained below.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication module 24 may be integrated with the control unit 21.

The measuring circuit 22 (or low-frequency receiving circuit) is designed to measure the power, at the level of the identifier 20, of the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna 13 of the low-frequency emission module 12 (in accordance with FIG. to a so-called RSSI technique for "Received SignalStrength Indication") and to communicate information indicative of measured power to the control circuit 21.

As explained below, the control circuit 21 can deduce an estimate of the distance between the vehicle and the identifier 20. The identifier 20 may optionally further comprise control buttons (not shown), by means of which the The user may control at least some of the aforementioned features or other features of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a logic diagram showing a method implemented by the control system 10 in the absence of an identifier in the vicinity.

It is considered at the beginning of this method that only the excitation circuit 17is in an active mode (due to a previous pass through step E14 described below), the processor 11 being in standby mode and the communication circuit 16 being also in its sleep mode.

The excitation circuit 17 controls in step E2 the passage of a current in the antenna 13, which causes the generation of a low-frequency electromagnetic signal and the emission of at least one scanning frame by the moduled Low-frequency emission 12.

The low-frequency transmission module 12 (specifically the excitation circuit 17) then emits at step E4 a wake-up instruction to the communication circuit 16, here in the form of a voltage front on a line connecting the transmission module low-frequency 12 and the communication circuit 16. Upon receipt of this wakeup instruction, the communication circuit 16bascule (step E6) in its active mode and configures itself (step E8) so as to receive any data transmitted by an identifier located nearby.

For its part, the excitation circuit 17 switches to its standby mode (step E10), while programming an automatic alarm after a predetermined period (for example between 1 s and 10 s).

As already indicated, the case in which no identifier is nearby is considered here and the wireless communication module 14 therefore remains waiting for data for a predetermined duration (for example between 10 ms and 50 ms). At the end of this predetermined duration (that is to say, for example at the expiry of a counter initiated in step E8), the communication circuitbascule in its standby mode (step E12).

Thus, when no identifier is close to the vehicle, only the excitation circuit 17 and the communication circuit 16 are periodically powered (the processor 11 remaining in standby mode). At the end of the predetermined period, the excitation circuit 17 is automatically reactivated (step E14) and the method is looped in step E2 described above for transmitting a new scanning frame.

FIG. 3 is a logic diagram showing a method implemented by the control system 10 and the identifier 20.

This method starts under the same conditions (for the control system 10) as the method of FIG. 2, namely that only the excitation circuit 17 is in an active mode (due for example to a previous pass through step E14 described above), that the processor 11 is in standby mode and that the communication circuit 16 is also in its standby mode.

However, unlike the method of FIG. 2, the identifier 20 is within the range of the electromagnetic signals exchanged with the control system 10.

The method starts in step E22, identical to step E2, in which the excitation circuit 17 controls the passage of a current in the antenna 13, which causes the generation of a low-frequency electromagnetic signal and transmission of at least one polling frame by the low-frequency transmission module 12. The reception of such a polling frame by the identifier 20 (step E32) is described below.

For its part, the low-frequency transmission module 12 (precisely the excitation circuit 17) emits at step E24 a wake-up instruction to the communication circuit 16 (in the same manner as described above in FIG. step E4). Upon receipt of this wakeup instruction, the communication circuit 16bascule (step E26) in its active mode and configures itself (step E28) so as to receive any data transmitted by a nearby identifier, the same request as that which has described above with reference to FIG.

The excitation circuit 17 switches to its standby mode (step E30), while programming an automatic alarm after a predetermined period.

Note that until then (that is to say, as the wireless communication module 14 has not received a response of an identifier), the procedure of Figure 3 corresponds precisely to that of Figure 2. L identifier 20 being present in the range of the electromagnetic signal emitted by the low-frequency transmission module 12, the measuring circuit 22 receives the scanning frame and measures the power of the electromagnetic signal emitted by the low-frequency transmission module 12 (step E32).

The measurement circuit 22 can thus communicate to the control unit a piece of information indicative of the measured power. The control unit 21 receives this information indicative of the measured power and deduces an estimate of the distance between the vehicle and the identifier 20 (step E34), precisely the distance between the system 10 and the identifier 20. The unit of control 21 can thus control in step E36 the transmission by the wireless communication module 24 of data representative of the estimated resistance between the system 10 and the identifier 20.

The wireless communication module 24 of the identifier 20 transmits, in step E38, these data representative of the estimated distance to destination of the wireless communication module 14 of the vehicle control system 10.

The data representative of the estimated distance is received by the wireless communication module 14 of the control system 10 in step E40.

For reasons of simplicity, mention is only made here of the transmission of data relating to the estimated distance from the identifier 20 and to the destination of the control system 10. Other data may, however, be exchanged in practice between the wireless communication modules 14 , 24 (possibly in both directions), especially in view of authentication of the identifier 20 by the communication module 14 of the control system 10.

For example, it can be provided in this regard that the representative data of the estimated distance is accompanied by an electronic signature, generated by application of a design cryptographic algorithm to the data representative of the estimated distance (such a cryptographic algorithm using a private key stored in the control unit 21).

Due to the reception of data (in particular representative of the estimated resistance) in step E40, the wireless communication module 14 (specifically the communication circuit 16) does not continue to operate as described above with reference to FIG. 2, but as follows. Upon receipt of the data from the identifier 20, the communication circuit 16 transmits a wake-up instruction to the processor 11 (step E42), here as already indicated a voltage front on an electrical lineelinking the communication circuit 16 and the processor 11.

The processor 11 receives this wake up instruction, switches to active mode and initializes in step E44.

The communication circuit 16 then transmits the data representative of the estimated distance to the processor 11 (step E46), as well as possibly other data received from the identifier 20 as explained above.

The processor 11 receives the data representative of the estimated distance and can thus compare the estimated distance to the stored distance threshold within the processor 11: the processor thus determines in step E48 whether it can authorize the control of the functionality (which is the case here if the estimated distance is less than the stored distance threshold).

For the sake of simplicity, step E48 is limited here to comparing the estimated distance to the distance threshold. However, it would be possible in practice to verify at least one other condition by the processor 11 before authorizing the control of the functionality, with eventual use of data exchanges between the control system 10 and the identifier 20 (communication modules). respective wireless 14, 24), for example for authentication of the identifier 20 by the processor 11.

When the aforementioned condition (estimated distance is less than the resistance threshold), as well as possibly one or more other condition (s), is exhausted, the processor 11 proceeds to step E50 to the control of the relevant feature (e.g. as explained above the unlocking of the vehicle doors, the deployment of the exterior mirrors of the vehicle or the power of certain vehicle lights), typically issuing a corresponding instruction to an actuator (not shown).

If, on the other hand, at least one of the conditions is not verified by the processor 11 (especially if the estimated distance is greater than the resistance threshold), the functionality is not implemented.

In the above description, the low-frequency transmission module 12 wakes up periodically (step E14) and then transmits a wake-up instruction to the wireless communication module 14 (step E4).

However, it could alternatively be provided that the wireless communication module 14 wakes up periodically and sends a wake-up instruction to the low-frequency transmission module 12 so that the latter transmits a scan frame. The remainder of the operation is unchanged (the wireless communication module 14 waits for a possible response from an identifier and issues an alarm instruction to the processor 11 when it receives such a response).

According to yet another variant, the low-frequency transmission module 12 and the wireless communication module 14 can each wake up periodically in order respectively to transmit a polling frame and to wait for the reception of any data in response coming from a login.

Claims (4)

A control system (10) for a vehicle comprising: - a transmitter module (12) for scanning frames; a data receiving module (14); a processor (11) adapted to control a function of the vehicle based on the received data; the data receiving module (14) being adapted for transmitting a wake up instruction to the data receiving processor (11) from an identifier (20), characterized in that the data receiving module is a wireless communication module (14). The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting module (12) is adapted to automatically switch from a sleep mode to an active mode. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitting module (12) is adapted to transmit a wake up instruction to the data receiving module (14). The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the data receiving module (14) is adapted to automatically switch from a wake up to an active mode. The system of claim 4 taken in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data receiving module (14) is configured to transmit a wake up instruction to the transmitting module (12). 6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, whereindata are data representative of an estimated distance between the system (10) and the identifier (20), and wherein the processor (11) is designed tocommander the functionality only if the estimated distance is less than one distance distance stored by the processor (11). The system of claim 6, wherein the processor (11) is designed to control the functionality only if furthermore the processor (11) authenticates the identifier (20). 8. A method of controlling a functionality of a vehiclecomprising the following steps: - transmission by a transmission module (12) of scan frames assigned to an identifier (20); receiving data from the identifier, by a data receiving module (14), transmitting an alarm instruction to a processor (11); - Control, by the processor (11), a function of the vehicle according to the received data characterized in that the data receiving module is a wireless communication module (14). 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising the following steps: measuring, by the identifier (20), the power of an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the scanning frames; - Estimating a distance between the vehicle and the identifier (20) depending on the measured power. The method of claim 9, wherein the functionality is controlled only if the estimated distance is less than a distance threshold.